IPASS on Demand Coming to Oregon on March 10
Today is the day for my IPASS on Demand event in Oregon!
Monday, March 10
3:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Nash Recreation Center (River Room)
304 South Fifth Street, Oregon
Co-Hosted by Oregon Mayor Ken Williams
As with previous IPASS on Demand events, a mobile team from the Illinois Tollway will be on hand to help people switch out their plastic IPASS transponders for the new sticker technology. There is no fee for making the switch, and IPASS balances will be forwarded to new accounts.
If you plan to attend, please bring your plastic IPASS transponders with you and jot down your license plate number(s) to ensure quick service. If you have any questions about this event, please call my legislative office at (815) 232-0774 or email Lori at lyates@sgop.ilga.gov.
Senator Andrew Chesney Welcomes Homeschool Families to State Capitol for Annual Lobby Day
On March 6, it was my pleasure to welcome over two dozen Homeschool parents and students from the 45th District to the State Capitol for the Illinois Christian Home Educators (ICHE) annual Cherry Pie Day. This annual event provides parents and guardians who choose to homeschool their kids with a platform through which they can celebrate their successes and urge legislators not to interfere with their right to make autonomous decisions regarding their children’s educations.
The group from the 45th District was part of thousands of homeschool families from across Illinois who gathered with a focus on defeating the anti-homeschool bill, House Bill 2827. The bill, sponsored by House Democrat Terra Costa Howard (D-Lombard), would undermine parental rights and impose unnecessary regulations on homeschooling families. It would create additional hurdles for families, such as excessive paperwork and truancy penalties for non-compliance with paperwork. The legislation includes the possibility of jail time for parents/guardians who do not complete the annual paperwork.
Following a rally outside of the Capitol, I met with the group from my district. We discussed HB 2827 and how they can successfully advocate against it. I also took questions from parents and children about the legislative process.
Chesney Encourages Homeschool Families to Submit Witness Slips in opposition to HB 2827
The anti-homeschool bill (HB 2827) has been scheduled for a hearing this week in Springfield, and I would encourage every individual who supports homeschooling and a parent’s right to make autonomous decisions regarding their children’s education to submit a witness slip in opposition to the bill.
The hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, March 12 at 8:00 AM. You have until then to file a witness slip in opposition of this legislation.
You may follow this link to file your slip. All witness slips must be filed before the hearing and this will be your only opportunity to put your opinion on the official record so I encourage you to make your voice be heard.
Click here to view a short video on how to submit a witness slip.
COGFA Data Points to $1.2 Billion Hole in Gov. Pritzker’s Plan
A recent revenue forecast from the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability (COGFA) indicates that Governor Pritzker’s revenue projections are likely off by a wide margin, revealing a $1.2 billion shortfall in the Governor’s proposed budget.
The Governor’s budget includes $490 million in new revenues that have yet to be vetted or approved by the Illinois General Assembly, even though Illinois law requires him to present a recommended budget that is balanced using existing revenue. Even if these new revenues are enacted, COGFA estimates a $740 million shortfall compared to the projections from the Governor’s Office of Management and Budget.
Not only does the Governor’s proposed budget face a potential $1.2 billion hole, but his plan, if enacted, would set a new sending record for the state, marking an increase of 37% since he took office.
Making things worse, the current fiscal year is already expected to end $525 million short, further proving that the Governor’s numbers are not aligned with the state’s financial realities.
This latest forecast underscores the need for a more responsible and realistic budget. Illinois deserves a fiscal plan that addresses the state’s challenges without relying on unreliable revenue projections or additional tax burdens on its residents.
Illinoisans Choose to Keep Current State Flag Design
The votes have been tallied and Illinoisans have spoken against a proposal to redesign the Illinois State Flag.
Public voting results announced March 6 show that of the 385,000 votes received, the current Illinois State Flag design received more votes than the next five top designs combined.
Established by the passage of Senate Bill 1818 in August 2023, the Illinois Flag Commission selected 10 top finalists from nearly 5,000 submissions for the State Flag redesign contest. These designs were available for five weeks of public viewing and voting on the Secretary of State’s website.
Critics of the proposed redesign had argued that the effort was a misuse of time and taxpayer dollars at a time when Illinois residents are looking for solutions to more pressing issues, such as financial instability, struggling schools, and the need to attract businesses.
The original flag was designed by Lucy Derwent, a Rockford-native, in 1915. That design has only changed slightly in the subsequent years, such as adding the word “Illinois” below the seal in 1969.
